12 February 2010 07:53

I don't think there's anything worse than a player diving when no one's been anywhere near him. It does ruin the game.

I'm sure you agree, but you wouldn't be agreeing with me. They are the words of Steven Gerrard, England midfielder, Liverpool's captain and a player who demonstrated his ability to go to ground all too easily again against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Tumble: Steven Gerrard goes down under the challenge of Abou Diaby

Gerrard debateDo you think that Steven Gerrard is a diver? Click here to tell us

Times may be hard over at Anfield just now - the dysfunctional board, no sign of the promised new stadium and continued underachievement on the pitch. But all that is no excuse for his behaviour.

Granted, the chase for three points hasn't been felt so acutely since Liverpool finished fifth back in 2005.

But has a player, who personifies so much that is right with football, become so desperate to win that he will sacrifice his so-called values to gain a slender advantage?

Gerrard hasn't shirked his responsibilities on the field - he never has - and he remains one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

But what can only be described as his blatant diving at the Emirateslast night was embarrassing for him and the club he loves so dearly.

On two separate occasions - at Arsenal and in the tempestuous Merseyside derby at the weekend - Gerrard hit the deck without the clattering challenges or blatant fouls that would have deemed his tumbles legal.

And on each occasion, he was straight on to his feet, remonstrating with the referee as we watched replays showing his falls.

Yet, this is no flash in the pan. Gerrard has previous: from the dubious penalty he won for England against Hungary in 2006 to the trailing leg 'foul' when he tried to win a penalty against Blackburn.

Sportsmail launched the No Diving campaign this season in an attempt to combat the cheats. When we asked you to name and shame the divers, Gerrard was one of the Premier League players who kept cropping up.

Search on YouTube and you can see that plenty of irate fans have posted examples of his misdemeanors.

Fake: Gerrard poses with his waxwork model at Anfield

Gerrard once said: 'If I saw one of my team-mates diving, I would definitely have a word.' Well, maybe its time that one of his team-mates and great friends, Jamie Carragher, put an arm round his captain's shoulder to remind him of his responsibilties.

Responsibilites that come with wearing the armband for Liverpool, being an icon to thousands of young fans, an international footballer and as the guardian of his own reputation - to not let his Bambi-on-ice impressions tarnish his illustrious career.